Attack on Jinyong Fortress As Shi Hu retreated to
Zhaoge, Liu Yao crossed the Yellow River again at Dayang (大陽; in present-day
Shanzhou, Henan) and attacked Jinyong Fortress (金墉城) to the northwest of Luoyang, where Shi Sheng was garrisoned. He burst the Qianjin Dam (千金堨; northwest of Luoyang) to flood the fortress while splitting up his forces to attack Ji (汲郡; around present-day
Weihui, Henan) and
Henei commanderies. The Administrator of Xingyang, Yin Ju (尹矩), the Administrator of Yewang, Zhang Jin (張進) and others from Later Zhao surrendered to Liu Yao, sending the Later Zhao court at Xiangguo into shock.
March to Xingyang In November or December, Shi Le wanted to personally lead out troops to rescue Luoyang. Most of his court officials, including his brother-in-law,
Cheng Xia warned him against this decision out of fear for his safety, but Shi Le drew his sword and shouted at them to leave. Then, Shi Le released his minister,
Xu Guang, who he previously imprisoned for disorderly conduct, and asked for his opinion. Xu Guang assured his lord that he would win, pointing out that Liu Yao had mistakenly besieged Luoyang rather than going straight to Xiangguo, and Shi Le was pleased by his response. He also consulted the
Buddhist monk,
Fotu Cheng, who supported his plan and, in the only recorded instance of the
Jie language, told him, "The army will go out and capture Bokkok!" (秀支替戾岡，僕穀劬禿當). Thus, Shi Le began his preparations and issued a warning that anyone who opposes his decision will be executed. He ordered his adopted sons,
Shi Kan and
Shi Cong, the Inspector of Yu province,
Tao Bao and others to link up at
Xingyang. Shi Hu camped at Shimen (石門; near present-day Xingyang, Henan) while Shi Le led 40,000 soldiers towards Jinyong by crossing the
Yellow River from Dajie (大堨; north of present-day
Yanjin County, Henan). Initially, Shi Le was worried that Liu Yao would leave Luoyang to take up defence at
Chenggao Pass for a strategic advantage. His worries dispelled when he arrived at Chenggao and discovered that there were no Former Zhao soldiers. He then pressed forward to Xingyang, passing between
Gong and Zi (訾縣; around present-day
Gongyi, Henan) counties.
Liu Yao's preparations As Shi Le approached, Liu Yao spent his time leisurely by drinking and chatting with his close ministers, showing no care for his officers and soldiers. When reproached for his behaviour, Liu Yao took it as slander and had his critics executed. He only began to fortify his camps at Xingyang and garrisoned at Huangma Pass (黃馬關; near present-day Xingyang Henan) once he realized that Shi Le had crossed the Yellow River. During a skirmish on the Luo river, a Jie soldier from the Later Zhao was captured. Liu Yao questioned this man on the size of Shi Le's army and changed expression after he was informed that Shi Le had come in person with a massive army. He lifted his siege on Jinyong and mounted a defence on the west side of the Luo River. When Shi Le arrived, he was pleased by what he saw, and he led 40,000 soldiers into Luoyang.
Capturing Liu Yao On 21 January 329, Shi Hu brought 30,00 infantry to the west from the northern wall to attack Liu Yao's central army, while Shi Kan and Shi Cong each led 8,000 elite cavalry to the north from the western wall to fight the vanguard. A great battle ensured at Xiyang Gate (西陽門; on the southern part of Luoyang's western wall), and Shi Le, donning his armor, went out through the Changhe Gate (閶闔門; the northernmost gate of the western wall) to attack Liu Yao's flank. According to records, Liu Yao was addicted to wine and would often drink large quantities of them before heading out to battle. He also usually rode his red horse, but at the time of the battle, the horse contracted a disease that affected its movements, so Liu Yao had to use a smaller horse. Just as he was about to ride out, Liu Yao drank more than a gallon of wine. When he arrived at Xiyang Gate, he signalled his army to recenter their formation. Shi Kan saw an opening and launched an attack, scattering the Zhao soldiers. Liu Yao attempted to flee in his drunken state, but his horse collapsed at a stone canal and he fell on the ice. He was stabbed more than ten times, with three of them piercing through his body, before he was finally captured by Shi Kan. The remaining Former Zhao soldiers were defeated by Shi Le, and more than 50,000 died in battle. After Liu Yao's capture, Shi Le ordered everyone to cease fighting, claiming that Liu Yao had agreed to submit. Upon seeing Shi Le, Liu Yao said to him, "King Shi, do you remember our oath at Zhongmen?" Shi Le then sent Xu Guang to reply, "What happened today was simply the will of Heaven. What else there to say?" == Aftermath ==